A Kalamazoo-based firm has developed new technology that it says could bring back some favorable cold weather- and drought-resistant qualities to modern corn crops without resorting to genetic engineering.
Given that Native Traits LLC’s technology promises to help increase yields and guard against seasonal uncertainties for farmers of the key grain crop, investors have started to take notice. The company completed its Series A round of fundraising in December and plans to spend the next three years further developing the technology, which could have a significant impact on the market, said Dr. James Friedrich, president and CEO of Native Traits.